Living for Giving

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Stewardship is not always a popular topic in local churches. Often it invokes negative images or experiences. But stewardship is a gift from God, a spiritual discipline and a means of God’s grace.

The above message from Bishop Kenneth L. Cardner was prominent on the back of our church bulletin last weekend. It is timely as we all prepare for the holiday season (and is timeless, really).

Giving is something that everyone can and should do. Yes, everyone. Rich, poor, talented, not-so-talented, young or old. We all, in any of our broken circumstances, can give.

Based on the stewardship definition of time, talent and treasure, I’ve put together a list of things to get us all in the giving spirit. This list is certainly not complete, and definitely not just for the holiday season (or for church!)… please help me compile more ideas in the comments!

The Gift of Time

Red Cross Bloodmobile (either giving much needed blood or as a volunteer… just the other night I got a phone call. “We’re hosting the blood mobile on Friday. Would you like to donate a pie, 5 pounds of cooked potatoes, or $5?” It wasn’t would you like to donate, but what would you like to donate. ;-) That lady knows how to get her volunteers! Love it.)

Visiting elderly neighbors. Last week Kate wrote about their homeschool lesson in manners. I know that all of us have neighbors who would love to be “used” for homework practice!

Helping a new mom with chores so she can sit and enjoy the baby.

Grab some sacks, take a walk, and pick up some trash.

Participate in local nursing home events. (Is this just a Tiny Town thing?) Our nursing home offers kid parties at Halloween, Easter, and a carnival in the summer. Fun for the kids, and a great change of pace for the residents.

Heat up your oven and bake… for neighbors, for new parents, for shut-ins, for someone battling a chronic illness, for a family who’s recently experienced a death. Here’s a list of meals I use to bless others.

Direct or perform in a community cantata.

Have your kids (or your homeschool group?) make decorations such as place mats for the local nursing home or hospital. Deliver them together.

Comments

These are wonderful ideas and an important reminder, Amy. I feel blessed that my children are so little and I have all the opportunity in the world to raise them with loving, giving spirits. I recently wrote on “giving back” and broke it down to time, talent, and treasure as well. Great minds… : )

These are wonderful ideas, and thank you for a connection to great meals to make for others. It’s nice to receive a gentle reminder that we are not alone in this world, and there are many people who need our giving.

Great list Amy! I’m not coming up with any other ideas right now, but if I do I’ll let you know.

You are so right about spending time with elderly neighbors too. We are surrounded by elderly widows and they view as kids as adopted grandchildren. They love to have our kids stop by for a visit, and usually they bring some goodies home. One neighbor loves to have Isabelle come over and just sit and watch game shows with her. They are just glad for the company, and time is certainly the easiest thing to give.

THanks for posting this! As someone who works in the nonprofit sector I can tell you that our volunteers mean SO much to us! We couldn’t do it without them. I think people either underestimate themselves (how could I contribute?) or just assume that volunteer work means licking stamps. It doesn’t! Just be creative! THe best thing you can do as a volunteer is offer your own project that is self-directed, so no one has to train you. For example, my sis and I volunteered at a program for at-risk kids. We brought in old magazines that we had collected from doc offices and then showed the kids how to make a collage. The theme of the collage was a “world without drugs.” It was very fulfilling, the kids created a masterpeice, and it only took a few hours.